FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

John Isacke, MPBN CFO

July 20, 2011

Bangor Viewers Will Once Again Be Able To Receive MPBN Television Over The Air

(BANGOR, Maine) – Starting Monday July 25, the Maine Public Broadcasting Network will significantly improve the signal of its over-the-air television service in the Bangor viewing area with new broadcast equipment on Blackcap Mountain in Eddington.

"We've invested approximately $75,000 in a television translator to correct a signal deficiency resulting from the national conversion to digital broadcasting technology in February 2009," said MPBN President and CEO Jim Dowe. The digital conversion had the unintended effect of leaving some non-cable and non-satellite viewers without access to MPBN in the Bangor area. “Restoring signal integrity in Bangor has been a top priority at MPBN since the day we converted to digital in 2009,” Dowe said. “Healthy operating results in the 2011 fiscal year allowed us to move ahead with the upgrade.”

According to Gil Maxwell, Chief Technology Officer for MPBN, the new signal will help with viewing in the Bangor/Brewer area and along the Penobscot River Valley, in locations such as Orono and Old Town. Viewers to the west of Bangor, including Ellsworth and Mount Desert Island, may also see an improvement.

The equipment was installed earlier this month on an existing broadcast tower on Blackcap Mountain, and will be operating at full power starting Monday. Technicians had been testing and optimizing the signal over the last few days. Viewers can receive the new signal on channel 12, and should consult the owner's manual on their television or tuner to determine if they need to re-scan in order to acquire the new signal.